HISTORY OF
KEMP'S MEN OF NORWICH
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A KANDID AND INKOMPLEAT HISTORY OF KEMP'S MEN OF NORWICH |
Kemp's Men are named in honour of Will Kemp, colleague of Shakespeare, fellow shareholder in the Globe Theatre, Europe's most famous comic actor amd morris dancer extraordinary.
It is likely that several of Shakespeare's clown roles were written specifically for Kemp, but in 1599, the two fell out. This was perhaps inevitable given that Kemp believed that no production of Hamlet to be complete without a dog on wheels.
Whatever the cause of the quarrel, Kemp decided to demonstrate that he, not the upstart bard, was still the people's favourite and in a sort of 16th Century publicity stunt, he set off to dance all the way from London to Norwich.
In spite of primitive roads and winter weather, he achieved the feat in just nine days* and wrote a book about the event ("A nine daies wonder) which gave us the phrase "a nine days wonder".
*This excludes the week or so be was holed up in a hotel in Bury St. Edmonds in heavy snow and the two half days which he decided not to include.| First practice: | 1953 |
|---|---|
| How started: | Phone call to Norris "Win" Winstone from Derek Ward, who had danced at Training College and had a collection of interested men and boys. Win had danced at weekends run by Leta Douglas and at Cecil Sharp House and Goldsmith College (pre-WW2). |
| Formed: | October 1956 (as Kemp's Men of Norwich). |
| Location: | Norwich, Norfolk, England |
| First public performance: | Folk evening, Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich in 1959. The side danced Cotswold Sword and Boosbeck Sword. It was "well received". Musician was Win on mouth organ through an amplifier. The sword dance was remembered mostly for the fact that Frank trod on Win's wrist in the "Double over" of the sword dance. |
| Type of side: | Male (with an "Honorary Man" or two, e.g. Jill Bennett on violin, 1970 onwards) |
| Membership: | The side
originally consisted of sixth formers, teachers and a
groundsman. In 1963, the University of East Anglia
started and some students joined, some of whom had danced
elsewhere. Numbers increased in the 1970's, but teachers
declined, more musicians arrived and, in addition to
Wednesday night practises, Sunday morning beginners
sessions started. In 1994, the side membership included 2 vicars, 1 builder, 1 Advertising writer, 2 electricians, 1 antique restorer, 2 local government officers, 1 print museum curator, 3 research scientists, 1 computer manager, 1 food processor, 4 teachers (2 active, 2 retired) and 2 lecturers (1 history and 1 biology), 1 retired quantity surveyor, 1 male nurse, 1 nurseryman, 1 librarian, 2 pharmacists, 1 postman, 1 certified accountant and 1 radio journalist. |
| Kit: | 1956 -
charcoal flannels, white shirt, red and green baldricks,
canvas (yellow) bell pads, straw hats. 1961 - Added a yellowish jerkin with rosette showing town/county of origin 1969 - light khaki drill trousers, canvas (yellow) bell pads, white socks and shirts, brown baldricks with Will Kemp silhouette at crossings, black shoes 1975 - white trousers and shirt, yellow and green baldricks, green armbands 1978 - dark green breeches, white shirts and socks, black shoes, yellow and green baldricks with brass Norwich coat of arms, red and green ribbons on bell pads. 1988 - yellow socks, yellow and green baldricks, rosette behind brass on front, rosette and Will Kemp silhouette on back, arm bands with rosettes, Lovat (green moleskins) breeches 1999 - slightly different yellow socks, yellow and green baldricks, rosette behind brass on front, rosette and Will Kemp silhouette on back, dark green breeches (but no arm bands) |
| Musicians: | 1956 -
mouth organ 1960 - Club II melodeon 1972 - Hohner G/D Current - large selection of Hohner G/D melodeons, fiddle, Anglo and English concertinas, piano accordion etc. |
| Traditions:
|
1956 -
Headington Quarry, Adderbury, Bampton, Norwich-upon-Wensum* 1959 - As above plus Bledington and Bucknell 1962 - As above plus Longborough 1965 - As above plus Fieldtown 1970s - added Hinton, Brackley, Oddington and Ducklington 1980s - added Lichfield 1990s - dropped some, added Ascott-under-Wychwood 1997-8 - mainly Ilmington, Ducklington, Ascott, Norwich-upon-Wensum etc. 1999 - added Lichfield again |
| Specialist dances: | Norwich-upon-Wensum - Cotswold-style dances based on the Norfolk Long Dance and mainly devised by Derek Ward, Win, plus Dave Robertson, Derek Barber and Pip Conrad. Dances include Beet Topping (1957), Weaver's March (Dave Robertson), Barley Troshin' (Dave Robertson), Starry Night (Dave Robertson), Fakenhan Fair (Derek Ward, 1980), Sutton Mill (Pip Conrad, 1975), Postman's Knock (Dave Robertson), Winstone Galop (by Dave Robertson, in honour of Win's 75th Birthday in February 1987), Trunch By-pass (Derek Barber, 1996?) |
| Practise: | 7.30-9.30pm, Wednesday nights, October to April |
| Dancing: | Wednesday nights, May to September. |
Kemp's Men have been in existence since 1956, and have thus had quite a few members. In fact, nearly as many as there have been dancers. As far as we know, this is the complete roll call of Kemp's Men (and honorary men).
| Squires | Bagmen | Foremen |
|---|---|---|
| Derek
Ward Greg Gregory Noel Brandon-Jones Chris Loukes (1975) Ken Tickle David Robertson (1977) Mike Chapman John Carter Robert Campbell (1980) Alan Helsdon (1981) Nigel Guzek (1981) John Dimascio (1982-84) Pip Conrad (1986) Derek Barber (1990-94) Colin Sleath (1994-96) Gary Creissen (1996-1998) John Dimsacio (1998-2000) Bert Bremner (2000-2001) Derek Barber (2001-2002) Steve Conneely (2003-2006) Peter Mayne (2006-Date) |
Win
Winstone (1956-77) Peter Salt (1977-92) Bert Bremner (1992-92) Pip Conrad (1993-94, temp) Steve Conneely (1996-1998) Peter Salt (1998-2005) Martin Hicks (2005-6) Richard Woodham (2006-date) |
Win
Winstone Derek Ward Cyril Hinchliffe John Dimascio Stephen Bazire Dave Robertson Pip Conrad (1995-2007) Peter Salt (2008-date) |
LL = Lapsed Local, C = Current, RIP = Deceased, Hon = Honorary Member
F = Foreman, Sq = Squire, B = Bagman, T = treasurer, AT = Assistant Treasurer, M = Musician
Christian name, Surname, Current status, Positions held, Decades, other
Nick Appleyard, 87-88, ex-Richmond MM, chef in Great Yarmouth, came along to a few practices
Tony Arbuthnot
Niels Arveschoug, 1978, ex-Kings Men and Sheffield e-mail nielsarveschoug@hotmail.com (7.05)
Colin Aslanska, ex-Headcorn and Oyster
Tony "Rumpole" Bailey, C M (conc, mel), 90's-date, one of the only people ever to do an MA in music with electric bass guitar as the main instrument
Andrew Baker, LL, South Norfolk District Coroner
Derek Barber, C, Sq, 80's-date, ex-Humbleyard, main Whit and Kemps Kamp organiser
Tim Bartlett, LL, 70's, 80's, work and a dicky heart forced retirement
Stephen Bazire, C, F, M (mel), 1986-2001ish (fading out due to work and other commitments), ex-Bath City Morris, Great Western and Bristol Morris Men and member of Shindig, e-mail sbazire@ukppg.org.uk
Peter Bennett, ex-Colchester MM
Jill Bennett, C, Honorary man, M (fiddle), 1974-date, also appears on the song cycle "Norfolk Hero" and "Alight in the east" by Happisburgh Light Brigade. E-mail bennett@nc.bbc.co.uk
Geoff Betts, RIP. Never actually danced with KM, but did attend the first ever KM AGM.
John Betts
Mike Boston, ex-Golden Star and Wheatsheaf
Noel Brandon-Jones, LL, M, Sq, 70's-80's, ex-London Pride. Died May 2001. He had just been awarded the first ever BANTA (Barton and Neatishead Theatrical Award) medal earlier in the year at the NABS (Neatishead and Barton Turf Amateur Dramatics) pantomime in the village hall for services (mainly scenery) to local amateur dramatics (mainly design and construction of the sets, but also writing and performing). Steve B. will never forget the famous occasion when he came out to see us dance by the Neatishead White Horse {in about 1990) and he played a drum with a beater underneath connected to a foot peddle. His shadow for all the world looked like his willy going up and down hitting the drum....
Peter Brayne
Hugh Brayne, M (Acc)
Bert Bremner, C, Sq, 80's-date, loudest voice in Christendom, e-mail Jamesbertb@hotmail.com or Jbremner@milecross.rmplc.co.uk.
Graham Britton, LL, ex-UEA, introduced rapper to UEA and Gresham's School
Peter Brown, 80's, now at The Old Meynell, 11 Church Lane, Kirk Langley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 4NG, Tel 01332 824242, PTFBROWN@aol.com, going via Leicester and King's Men (Kings Lynn). He's almost nearly joined Ripley MM (May 2000).
Alan Bruce, ex-UEA
John Bundock, ex-UEA
Andy Burgess, ex-UEA, now in Chirk (6.05)
Eric Burn
Martin Butler, 1972-76, Acc, now with Letchworth MM, ex-UEA
Keith Butler
Robert Campbell, Sq, 80's, now White Rose MM (Huddersfield)
David Capp, LL, M, 70's-80's, ex-Leicester
John Carter, now Thames Valley
"Pussy" Chadwick
Mike Chapman, LL, Sq, 70's-80's
Alan Chetwood, 1996-7, played flute, on loan from Greensleeves during a temporary contract in Norwich. Never danced in kit and rarely came to the pub, so he remained a mystery to most of the side.
Frank Clayton, RIP, F
Terry "Stumpy" Cocker, 90's-date, e-mail Caz@cocker4.fsnet.co.uk
Steve Collingwood, went to Wheatsheaf (now defunct) and Hertford. Parents both GPs in Norwich.
Steve Conneely, C, B, 90's-date, assistant Bagman
Pip Conrad, C, Sq, F, 70's-date, also danced with Jockey whilst at University in Birmingham
Mark Cook, C, 90's-date
Jerry Crawshaw, M, ex-Biffen, married and moved to Kent
Gary Creissen, C, ex-Squire, M (mel), 90's-date, ex-East Kent MM, e-mail creissen@bbsrc.ac.uk
Mick Croucher, 80's, now Colchester MM
Ted Cullum
John Curphy, ex-UEA, expert in Manx dances. Serious car accident in Belfast after leaving UEA.
John Davenport
Keith Davis, ex-UEA late 1971-74, e-mail davik7hm@ntlworld.com. In the UEA team led by Graham Britton and has been
dancing ever since. Since UEA has danced with Chelmsford Morris (Essex)
1974 to 1975, Chingford Morris (North West London) 1975 to 1991
and now with Wickham Morris (South Hampshire) 1994 to date.
Harry de Caux, Hon M, ex-Thaxted, Isca MM, died June 2003, had been living in Wales where his widow survives him (James Woodrow, 2.06)
Mike Deason-Barrow, M (Oboe)
John Dimascio, C, ex-Sq, ex-F, M (Acc), 80's-date, ex-Ellington, Grand Union (founder member), also with Fiddlesticks (musician), Golden Star, Susquehanna Steppers, jsdimascio@aol.com
John Dowding
Graham Downing, M (fiddle)
Peter Dugdale, C, Dep Bag, 80's-date, peter.dugdale.pt@norfolk.gov.uk
Janet Dugdale/Anderson, LL, Hon man M (Fiddle), 80's-90's, now Golden Star?
Peter Dunn, LL, 80's
Robin Edwards, 80's, now Chapel-en-le-Frith MM
Ted Ellis, RIP, Hon Member, his estate still provides our sticks
Trevor Eydmann, C, 96-97, ex-Ashdown, now back with them, short contract in Norwich at John Innes Institute
Steve "Stainless" Fisher, M, Sq
Don Fortune, ex-Wheatsheaf, Appalacian Dulcimer player
Peter Fowler, M (Fiddle)
Andy Futter, 80's, now Bristol Morris Men
David Geddes, M (small pipes)
Trevor Gent, LL
Tony Gomme, C, 50-date, nearly a founder member
Paul Gooding, M (abuse of
melodeon), 90-98, now on a loan spell with Adelaide Morris Men, e-mail
paulgooding@hotmail.com.
See also Bob Pilgrim below. Work address until 3.01 was Dr Paul
Gooding, CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, Horticulture Unit, GPO
Box 350, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064. New home address: 3
Sturt Ave, Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia 5041. Tel. 08
8277 1316. In October 1999 took delivery of a Peter Hyde melodeon,
complete with it's own "Little Willy". Left Adelaide
Morris and formed a new (mixed) side called "Hedgemonkey".
Roger Green, Hon, 80's-90's, now in Norway, ex-Hageneth
Tom Greenway, now Chanctonbury Ring
'Greg' Gregory, RIP, Sq, 50-60-70
Melvyn Griggs, Colchester
Nigel Guzek, Sq, M, 80, now Squire (1999) of Bristol Morris Men, e-mail guzek@cableinet.co.uk
Vince Hadley, 50's, LL, Maddermarket actor
John Hadley
Henry Hannent, LL (transient member)
Geoff Hanton, LL, now whooping it up on the sequence dancing circuit
Basil Hanton RIP
Derek Harcourt
Chris Harris, Hon, "Kemp's Jig" performer
Alan Helsdon, LL, Sq, M (piano accordion), 70's-80's, member of Happisburgh Light Brigade, and composer of the song cycle "Norfolk Hero"
Dick Hewitt, RIP, (Norfolk Step dancer)
Alan Hick, ex-UEA
Martin Hicks, 90's-date, C, M (mandolin, melodeon owner)
Roger Hill (rogerhill@btinternet.com) 962-66. Lived in Tonga where he created the Tonga Morris Men (and one woman) which for a couple of years was actually a member of the Ring. We performed both Cotswold and Rapper and enjoyed a joint tour up the Thames with the Fiji Men and the Thames Valley Men, though I cannot remember in which year. The side included Tongans, Brits, Swedes, Kiwis, Aussies and an American. Is now retired and back in UK since 2001, been dancing with North Wood MM since Boxing Day 2004 (3.06)
Cyril Hinchcliffe, C, F, 1950's-1998, now retired with corns
Mike Holloway, ex-UEA, then went to Red Stags in Southampton
Jonathan Hooton, LL, 80's, now Golden Star, from Essex
Chris Horn, ex-East Suffolk, then to Kings Men
Tim Huggins, ex-Wheatsheaf
Taffy Jones
Derek Jones ex-UEA
Alan Jones (1976-78): a.jones9607@ntlworld.com. Went to midweek Kemp's Men practice sessions in a converted barn at the UEA in autumn 1976. Danced a couple of times in Jubilee year 1977. Moved to London with wife Sue in 1978. Still folk dancing (at the Adlington Folk Dance Club in Cheshire), but Kemp's Men was his only attempt at Morris dancing.
Kevin Klein ex-UEA, now in Stourbridge (6.05)
Michael Knights, LL, M, 90's, ex-Lichfield
Derek Laycock, 70's, ex-UEA, dragon bearer
Ian Lever, now in Hong Kong, teaching English to Ghurkas
Chris Loukes, Sq, LL, teacher at Greshams
Patrick Maidment, C, 70's-date
Rod Matless, made the first set of side britches. Pity they were all about 3 inches too short
Ian McConnell, now in Haverhill (6.05)
Ian McDonald
Philip McFadyen, C, 90-date, ex-Humbleyard
"Mad" McGinnity, 50's, M (guitar - once played on the same bill as the Beatles in Germany in their early days)
Terry Miller, LL, 80's-90's, very occasional member
Keith Mitchell, LL, 80's, ex-Old Spot
Phil Mullineaux, C, 90's-date, e-mail mullineaux@bbsrc.ac.uk
Bob Musket, Colchester
Dick Nudds, LL, M, 80's (briefly), also brief flirtation with folk superstardom as Henry Kippers driver, now called Ruth
Richard Olive, 90's-date, C
Bill Page, LL, ex-Colchester MM
Dave Patteson, LL (back injury)
Bob Pilgrim, honorary Kemp's Men for the duration of the Whit tour to Forest of Dean in 1991ish. From Tasmania but now (1998) living in Adelaide, and foreman of Adelaide Morris.
David Piper
Mike Poxon, LL, 80's-90's
David Radnedge - only danced once with KM, just to make up numbers
Antony Rawlinson, 1987. On loan from London Pride MM - short-term contract with Boulton and Paul and moved from Norwich, never a full member. Well remembered by the side. e-mail antony@cix.co.uk
David Read - ex-Brackley MM
Thomas Reading, now in Belgium we think
Dave Robertson, C, Sq, F, M (conc), dancer 70's-98, retired from regular dancing ("emergencies only") in June 1998 when he hit 50 but is continuing to torture a Concertina for the benefit of the side. Ex-Chanctonbury Ring, singer on the song cycle "Norfolk Hero" and in a close harmony group on the festival circuit
Stuart Robertson, LL, 80's
Malcolm Rose
Andrew Rouse, C, 70's-date, e-mail Andrew.Rouse@britvic.co.uk<>
John Rowley, LL, ex-Greensleeves, then ran a "Morris "Minors" side at Town Close School
Ewart Russell, RIP, Hon, the Ring Bagman who moved the Ring accounts from red to black
Peter Salt, C, B, 70's-date, long-serving bagman, dragon bearer and bearer of anything anyone could ever want in an emergency
Ralph Scales, moved to St Albans MM
John Seaman
Dave Shaw
Andy Shipley, singer, moved to teaching job in Devon
Andrew Simmonds, 80's, now Leicester
Vic Simpson RIP, Fool extraordinaire, and he always had a half-crown stuck to the inside of his hat with tar
Mike Sinclair
Jerry Sinclair
Alistair Sinclair
Tony Singleton, singer, and KMs Little Snap (pre-Eric)
Don Slaughter, M
Colin Sleath, C, Sq, M (conc), 79-date, ex-Green Man, e-mail silithi@aol.com
Martin Sleath 88, now in Lake District, but not dancing. Got married in April 1998.
Dennis Smith
Stewart Smith, moved to Australia. His sister Stella dances with Weavers Morris (North Walsham)
Dave Smith, Leicester
Steve Smith, LL, M (Mel), 80's
David Steward, C, M (Mel), 80's-date, source of many refreshing cocktails on tour, dsteward@anglianwater.co.uk
Roger Stoakley, M (pipe and tabor, with style), moved to Martletts, then married and moved to Somerset.
Roy Stubbs, now lives in Nuneaton, dancing with Anker MM (6.05)
Colin Tait, LL, M (acc), 80's, farmer from Brisley who was "outstanding in his own field"
Alec Talbot
Malcolm Taylor
Ken Tickle, LL, Sq, M (acc)
Twinkle Toes (who he Win?). No one can remember his name but he came to several Sunday morning practices at St. Peter Parmergate, wearing patent leather winkle pickers, and thus emphasising his two left feet. Favourite phrase "Am I doing it right?"
Colin Trowe, ex-Sheffield, started "Thetford Chase"
Mike Turner
David Upton, Brackley
John Vincent
Derek Ward, LL, Sq, F, 50's-70's, driving force behind KM in the early years. responsible for most of the Norwich-upon-Wensum dances. Still comes along to (constructively) criticise regularly.
Matthew Ward
Thomas Ward, Utrecht
A.E. Warman
Glen Warminger, LL
Garry Warmington
Nick Warns, retired hurt (morris stick in the face), LL, 80's, now ex-Golden Star
John Wellings, LL, 70's-80's, retired hurt with a back injury
Mike "Willie" Williams
Andy Williams, M (Melodeon), now New Zealand but still visit Norwich occasionally. Was a milkman in Sprowston and once a friend of one of Tony Gomme's daughters.
David Williamson
Mike Williamson, Herts
David Willie
Nigel Wimhurst, C, M (pipes), 80's-date
Win Winstone, C, B, M (Melo), F, 50-date, founder member and source of nearly all the information on these pages
Tony Winter, LL, 80's-90's, retired with joint problems (last tour at Whit in Kent), ex-Humbleyard
Bob Withers, Dartington
Gordon Wood, annual or bi-annual (or biennial) member of Kemp's Men. Dances with White Rose MM
Richard Woodham, C, 90's-date, e-mail rich1w@aol.com
Jim Youngs, M, Redbridge
Greg Snell, ex West Hill MM, mandolin player, violin scraper, reluctant dancer and part-time webmaster ...
Any errors, omissions or further details? Contact Greg Snell 
please!